Aaron Spears, who is a drummer for Ariana Grande, has spoken about what happened in the first seconds after a bomb exploded at their concert in the Manchester Arena on Monday night.

Twenty-two people have been klled, including children, and another 59 injured in the terror attack which occurred at the end of Ariana’s latest Dangerous Woman Tour concert.

Spears sent a message outlining the horrifying first moments after the bomb went off to his local Fox News network in Washington DC, which was uploaded to Twitter by journalist Steve Chenevey on his account @SteveChenevey .

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Aaron Spears said "painful memory" of night would last forever (Image: aspears /Instagram)

Chenevey wrote alongside the message: "Ariana Grande's drummer (who is from DC) tells me the blast happened as the band was walking back to dressing rooms."

Spears confirmed in the text to Fox 5 DC's Chenevey that nobody in the touring crew was physically injured in the atrocity, but said the “painful memory” of what happened in Manchester will stay with them forever.

He said the crew had been walking back to their dressing rooms after the show when a loud bang was heard, and initially nobody was sure just what had happened.

“We finished the show and were walking back to our dressing rooms and BOOM!!! We could hear people.

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"We had no idea what it was… There was all kinds of speculation as to what was going on,” he said in the text message to reporter Chenevey, which was posted to Twitter.

“Like 5 minutes after getting to the room, security came in and informed us that we had to evacuate the building immediately… it was then that we realised this was serious.

“Initially we thought that the sound was all kinds of things, but it didn’t hit that this was a bomb until we were evacuated and they told us exactly what was going on… It’s so heartbreaking because so many little ones attend our shows… I just keep thinking about them.

“I’m extremely grateful that no one on the touring crew was physically hurt but this painful memory will live with us all forever… I’m still just in disbelief… It’s so surreal.”

Spears had earlier posted a statement to Instagram, saying: “I just wanted to let you know that we are ok. Everyone with the tour is ok but please pray for the families of the people who were injured and suffered loss tonight. Thank you.”

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Spears added on Facebook: "I just wanted to say thank you for the texts, the calls, and the messages checking on me and the crew on the tour...We are all ok...Please pray for the people in Manchester who were injured tonight...Thank you..."

Devastated American singer Ariana, 23, took to Twitter on Monday evening to share her heartbreak, tweeting: “Broken. I am so, so sorry. I don’t have words.”

She has not been on social media since.

Ariana is believed to have postponed the remainder of her Dangerous World Tour, which was due to play two dates in London later this week before heading to other European cities.

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Her manager, Scooter Braun, who also manages Justin Bieber, paid tribute overnight to the victims and their relatives, calling the attack "cowardly".

"Tonight, our hearts are broken. Words cannot express our sorrow for the victims and families harmed in this senseless attack," he said.

"We mourn the lives of children and loved ones taken by this cowardly act. We are thankful for the selfless service tonight of Manchester's first responders who rushed towards danger to help save lives.

"We ask all of you to hold the victims, their families and all those affected in your hearts and prayers."

(Image: SWNS)

Ariana's two support acts for the evening, American singer Victoria Monet and US rapper BIA, have also spoken out about their heartbreak for the innocent victims.

“I wish I could say that I am ok, but I am not," wrote Victoria.

"Safe? Yes, but heartbroken that loved ones who came to have the night of their lives ended up losing them. They weren’t safe."

"I will never understand this hate!" continued Victoria.

"This was supposed to be their safe place! I’m so hurt and frustrated I don’t know how to handle this and I can’t smile and I feel useless, I’m sorry.

“Lord help me find strength. I’m going to stay off social media. I just hope you know that I love you all. Please send your prayers up high for Manchester.”

The first victim to be named is teenage Ariana Grande superfan Georgina Bethany Callander, who had posed with the popstar back in 2015.

The 18-year-old had captioned the Instagram snap: “My meet and greet photos came through, she was so cute and lovely, I hugged her so tight and she said she loved my bow. I can’t get over this, I never will.”

Eight-year-old Saffie Rose Roussos has also been named as a victim.

Hundreds of concert goers - many young children, teenagers and families - fled the Manchester Arena on Monday evening after hearing "loud bangs" at the end of Ariana's concert.

Those at the concert and worried loved ones have been using social media since last night to track down unaccounted relatives and friends.

Images show devastation and confusion at the scene, as young concert goers, many wearing Ariana Grande t-shirts, were led out of the arena.

Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable Ian Hopkins said on Tuesday morning: "What I can confirm is that there are children among the deceased.

"This has been the most horrific incident we have had to face in Greater Manchester and one we all hoped we would never see.

"Families and many young people were out to enjoy a concert at the Manchester Arena and have lost their lives.

(Image: Getty)

"Our thoughts are with those 22 victims that we now know have died, the 59 people who have been injured and their loved ones.

"We continue to do all we can to support them."

Prime Minister Theresa May released a statement in the early hours, saying: "We are working to establish the full details of what is being treated by police as an appalling terrorist attack.

"All our thoughts are with the victims and the families of those who have been affected."

Dozens of celebrities have also been praying for the victims, with David Beckham, Harry Styles, Liam Gallagher and James Corden among the stars who have posted heartfelt messages online.

The police have set up a helpline for people who are worried about loved ones; 0161 856 9400.